My Family Accounts Much for Me: How Does Work-to-Family Conflict Lead to Unethical Pro-Family Behavior

Yuming Wang, Wenan Hu (), Zhaopeng Liu and Jinlian Luo
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Yuming Wang: School of Economics and Management, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
Wenan Hu: Shandong Institute of Talent Development Strategy, Shandong University, Jinan 250100, China
Zhaopeng Liu: School of Management, Shandong University, Jinan 250100, China
Jinlian Luo: School of Economics and Management, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China

IJERPH, 2023, vol. 20, issue 5, 1-20

Abstract: Although unethical behaviors are prevalent in the workplace, little is known about the unethical behavior aiming at benefiting one’s family (unethical pro-family behavior, UPFB). In this paper, we leverage self-determination theory to explore the association between work-to-family conflict and UPFB. Specifically, we hypothesize and corroborate a positive relationship between work-to-family conflict and UPFB, and such relationship is mediated by family motivation. Moreover, we identify two conditional factors, guilt proneness (at first stage) and ethical leadership (at second stage), in moderating the proposed relationship. In study 1 (scenario-based experiment, N = 118), we tested the causality of work-to-family conflict and intention to perform UPFB. In study 2 (field study, N = 255), we tested our hypotheses by employing a three-wave time-lagged survey design. As expected, results from two studies fully supported our predictions. Overall, we explain whether, how, and when work-to-family conflict will lead to UPFB. Implications of theory and practice are then discussed.

Keywords: unethical pro-family behavior; work-to-family conflict; family motivation; self-determination theory; guilt proneness; ethical leadership (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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